<p>Okay, I just finished drafting a (possible) college application essay. I've been having a hard time coming up with a good topic, so I've written a few drafts on things that have popped into my mind. The most recent one was on how I've never been great with kids, but I've been trying to work on it and when I was at summer camp a few months ago I managed to befriend one. It's supposed to be kind of a funny look at some of my flaws (overly competitive) and good points (caring). </p>
<p>My problem is that I can't come up with a single topic that is deeply, deeply meaningful to me, and represents the essence of my soul in a way I would feel comfortable having scratched on my tombstone.</p>
<p>And my question is, is that what they're looking for? Should I be using this essay to define myself as a person, or should I just have fun and try to give the admissions people a taste of my personality?</p>
<p>Um…still wondering. Anyone? I’m beginning to gather that “deeply meaningful” often strays toward cliche, so I’m thinking “personality taste” would be better?</p>
<p>Hrmmm, I think this is entirely up to you. Which essay topic would you feel more comfortable writing about? Go with your gut. Personally, I think people tend to write a little bit of both; how they responded and were about to show their good points through a deep and meaningful experience.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat, really - do I speak plainly and honestly? But this seems to go agains the “show, don’t tell” advice I receive so often. But showing writing seems kind of trite and overplayed. I feel like I’ve read too many essays that are overly descriptive and not particularly interesting.</p>
<p>At any rate, where’s the balance between “showing them who you think” and “telling them what you think”? Because if we were just doing the first part, wouldn’t we be able to submit a purely academic or ruminative paper? Or is it “show you think/who you are” or what.</p>
<p>Topic? You have a lot of freedom. Your ability to take the topic and run with it is more important than the topic itself. Give a great writer three terrible topics and he/she will write good essays. Topics need not be deeply meaningful/moving. They should allow you to write an essay which gives the admissions readers a good definition of you and your personality. In succesful essays, this is subtle. </p>
<p>Show/Tell? Let’s define this distinction first. From what I’ve heard, telling is just telling them about your essay topic (“I am passionate. I am smart.” etc.). Showing is using examples and events to convey the same point. After you show something succesfully, you should be able to add in: “This shows that I am…” (of course don’t be so obvious if you do write something like this). Anyways, yes, showing is preferred. Because not only are you supporting your claims with some form of evidence, but showing generally makes essays more vivid. There are times to tell, and times to show. The good writer will strike a proper balance. Poor writers will either go over-the-top showy with imagery/language (I hate these essays) or just be blunt and boring with flat statements. Where’s the balance? Pick up five good college essays and you’ll hopefully see it in action. It really depends upon the writer and the topic’s presentation. </p>
<p>If all else fails, just pick a random topic (point to a word in the dictionary) and write about it. That actually sounds kinda fun.</p>
<p>Great advice, everybody! I always love the “show don’t tell” thing…it makes sense that you could tell a story and add in details about yourself for some indirect characterization. And I agree about the showy language. My ideal college essay right now would be somewhere between “To Kill and Mockingbird” and a David Sedaris essay, both of which manage to impress the reader with imagery and writing style without being pedantic.</p>
<p>Oh, and I also think I might try that dicionary thing, GammaGrozza, just for fun to see how it turns out. Aaand…the word I just got was hypsography (“the configuration of a land surface with respect to its different heights; topographic relief.”) Maybe I’ll try a couple times :D</p>